11.30.13 Miles' Baptism

For a rare occasion, Thanksgiving 2013 our entire family was home!  I asked Joanna to take a family photo from the church balcony, and although i haven't seen the photos yet, I hope we get a good one for a photo card.  Miles and another little boy were baptised that day.  No matter what your culture or religion, "welcoming" ceremonies are really important.  It is a statement that you welcome this child into your family, your faith community, and you invite God to be part of his/her life.

Father Larry, Matt, Mauri, Miles Jamison

Godparents, Aunt Katie and Uncle PJ

Photo bombing by cousin Matthew Thomas! 

Grandpa Dan, Grandma Stacie, and to the right, Grandma Sherri and Grandpa Phil.

Great Grandmothers, Eleanor, left, and Estell on the right.

Miles was a very good baby during the baptism.  He didn't cry at all, and neither did the other baby.  Father Larry said the secret is putting in really hot water before the mass begins, so after mass, the water is still warm, not icy cold. Father Larry poured entire pitchers of the baptismal water over their heads, 

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." 

Also, he slathered chrism oil all over their little heads.  7 days and several baths later, you could still smell the spicy chrism oil on Miles. 

Welcome Miles, welcome!

12.14.13 Elf on the Shelf

Last year, several of Joe's classmates' families were enjoying the "Elf on the Shelf" holiday tradition, which is fairly new.  Little did I realize that elves come in a variety of ethnic styles, and are very hard to get.  So, Joe got his Christmas day, too late for the elf activity for last year.  This year, when we got out the Christmas decorations, we got out the elf.  Joe was dismayed that I touched him.  If children touch the elf, they "remove his magic".  I said that I had to untie the twisties to get him out of the box.  Each family names their elf, and last year, Joe named his "Funny."  The day the elf went on the mantle, I left for Omaha to help care for Miles.  As I spoke to Joe during the week, he was dismayed that Funny was not moving day to day. Dan was not in the know about the elf magic.  When I returned, I showed Dan the pinterest board on Elf on the Shelf.  Since then, Funny has been moving regularly.  I haven't noted all of his locations, but here are some:

Emily's stocking...

The Lego lizard Aunt Cheryl passed on to Joe...

The woodwork...

and this morning, the ceiling fan.  

Funny probably has more to report about Stacie and Dan's holiday shortcomings than Joe's!

Last Sunday's Argus Leader had a great couple of pages on the Elf in the Shelf tradition.  Included were diametrically opposed parent views.  One father said their family enjoys the fun, and a mother had the viewpoint of "the overachieving parents whose entire focus is elf activites" and that her family "just doesn't have time for the elf."  Both are o.k.  Funny has not been up to any extreme antics here.  We are enjoying his moves and Joe is looking for him each morning.